It wasn''t extra time or financial leeway, but I gained a lot of peace of mind. In Korea I couldn''t have many of these kinds of conversations, and talking about a variety of topics deepened my thinking and broadened my ability to understand others. I also learned many ways to enjoy having free time.
Bonjour! One month living in Paris, France Kwon Seung-hyun, gap-year traveler (23, university student) / 4 weeks of gap year |
A month in Paris that brought many changes to everything from my personality to my thinking
Hello, I''m Kwon Seung-hyun, 23 years old, living in Seoul.I was attending university, and after finishing my third year I took a leave of absence and went to Paris—to sort out my thoughts, broaden my horizons, and to gain the courage to travel far on my own.
I chose to live in Paris for a month because I like art and wanted to experience Paris''s various museums, and also to feel the lifestyle of Paris, which is considered a cultural center in Europe. Since I was traveling alone anyway, I wanted to stay abroad as long as possible, so I chose to stay in Paris for a month.
The Paris gap-year stay''sThe goals were simply to experience Paris, live in another country, get used to being alone, think a lot, and not be rushed by time.They were. And the month in Paris brought many changes—from my personality to my way of thinking.
My parents were very worried about me staying abroad for a long time. I think 23 isn''t that young, but from their perspective they still had trouble accepting that their young daughter would go far away and stay abroad for a long time on her own.
However, during my life thereBy contacting them daily so they wouldn''t worry and reassuring them that I was doing well, my parents relaxed a lot and I think they realized how much I''d grown.
As for preparations before departure, I''m not the type to prepare way in advance, so I hurriedly started preparing a week before leaving, but there wasn''t much missing. Living a month in Paris is really about experiencing life there, so if I had prepared too perfectly it probably would have been less fun.
If something was lacking I would buy it at the supermarket, and I would get rid of things I didn''t need—I liked the feeling of standing on my own. I hope you don''t pack everything too far in advance.
Paris, a city that was wonderful in itself; I often felt each day was perfect.
Living in Paris for a month gives you time, so you don''t need to cram too many plans into a day. I absolutely recommend taking it slowly.
Wander through the alleys without turning on Google Maps, and when your legs hurt, sit down at any café and be sure to try a noisette. A noisette is a type of coffee not sold in Korea, so be sure to try it when you go. It''s also inexpensive.
If you go to Paris you''ll definitely visit the Louvre, and one tip is to buy an annual pass. Under-26s can get a one-year pass for the low price of 15 euros with unlimited visits for a year. For those over 26 it''s around 30 euros, but considering a single admission is 17 euros, it''s not expensive at all. The Louvre is so vast that even a month wouldn''t be enough in a single visit, so if you''re interested in art, definitely get the annual pass!
AndI really recommend VersaillesIt''s because Versailles is outside Paris and requires a full day to visit. It was better than any place I went. Admittedly it''s best when the weather cooperates, but when isn''t that true?
When the day is nice, be sure to go to Versailles, tour the palace, and definitely ride a bike in the park. Riding a bike among the well-kept park trees will make you feel like the sky opens up.
Paris itself is such a wonderful city that I often felt each day was perfect.
I met many good people who genuinely care for, listen to, and cherish one another.
The Paris one-month living project didn''t have a fixed schedule, which I actually think was a good thing. When you''re traveling alone, too much program interference can be a hindrance.
Above all, I liked that they provided affordable accommodation. If the lodging were expensive for a month, you''d hesitate to travel. Spending a month alone taught me a lot about having leisure. Not in terms of having time or money, but rather...I learned in Paris how important it is to have peace of mind.
At the accommodation I met four women doing the month-in-Paris program; they were all wonderful. Actually, everyone I met on the trip was great. Maybe it was the leisure that travel provides, but everyone was understanding, conversation flowed well, and I often felt that people genuinely cared for, listened to, and cherished one another.
Among them, those participating in the same program really connected a lot; although we all came alone, when our schedules matched we would go out together, go to cafés, eat together, and talk a lot—it was really nice. I think the trip would have felt very empty without those people.I met many wonderful people through the gap year.
# After the gap year, I became more relaxed and wanted to try many different experiences.
Comparing before and after participating in the gap year, I gained a sense of ease. Not a temporal or financial ease, but...I became much more mentally relaxed. I had deeper thoughts from having various conversations I couldn''t properly have in Korea, and my ability to understand others broadened.I also learned how to enjoy having more free time. Compared to a life spent absorbed in my smartphone, TV, and the internet, after the gap year I felt more inclined to try many diverse experiences.
What I want to say to future participants is,Don''t go with too many worries or burdens. Paris isn''t as dangerous or as cold a (unfriendly) city as people think.If conversations don''t go smoothly, or if they have some apprehension toward foreigners, that''s not the same as French people ignoring foreigners. If you ask, they try to explain kindly as much as possible, sometimes even escort you, and are very kind.
And I hope you don''t over-prepare. Preparing too much in advance makes you bring unnecessary items, which literally become baggage. Pack as little as possible. Since you''ll inevitably buy souvenirs when returning to Korea, your luggage will gain weight anyway. You can buy anything you lack. Don''t be overly frugal while traveling; try to be relaxed.
# My gap year tip
(Language)
Because it was a long period of one month, English is important but I thought you should learn a bit of French. So I learned simple greetings, apologies, and conversational phrases.
I took online lessons so I could handle simple greetings, apologies, and basic conversation, and I ended up using English more than I expected so it wasn''t uncomfortable. Still, when visiting another country I think it''s good to learn at least some of the local language.
(Accommodation)
Being a Korean guesthouse, the biggest advantage was feeling safe. There are many Koreans and they provide Korean food for breakfast and dinner, so it''s okay if you can''t adapt to local cuisine. Also, the owner and staff share a lot of useful information and recommend many good places, so...I think it''s a very good place for people coming to Paris for the first time, or traveling alone and independently.
But because it''s a guesthouse used by various people, you should be prepared to share your room with others. Also, be ready for shared showers and toilets.
(Meals)
Providing Korean food for breakfast and dinner was the best.That was the best thing — not having to spend money to buy Korean food because you couldn''t adapt to local food.
(What to bring)
Actually, you can buy things you don''t have there. There''s no need to pack everything. It just makes your luggage heavy for no reason. The electricity is 220V, so the best part is you don''t need to bring a transformer. The guesthouse provides hangers, so if you want to bring one I recommend a foldable hanger.
There''s absolutely no need to pack lots of clothes. Everyone wants to wear many pretty outfits, but when a trip gets long you get tired and then prefer comfortable clothes. There were many clothes I brought but didn''t wear. Pack moderately.
If your luggage is already full on the way there, you''ll definitely have to pay an extra charge on the way back!!!!! It''s very expensive, so I recommend packing as little as possible.
My gap year was
Experience★★★★☆
Everything becomes an experience.
Learning★★★★☆
Since it was a solo trip, I did a lot of thinking and learned many things on my own.
Environment★★★☆☆
The accommodation was a bit far.
Safety★★★★☆
Korean guesthouses are safe.
Leisure★★★★★
A month is a long time, so I didn''t rush around and treated Paris as a place to relax.
